Strategic Business Plan for Service Businesses

A strategic business plan works best for service businesses, especially those that work B2B (Business to Business).  And there are literally thousands of them.  Think of all the service businesses that serve the business sector.  There are

• Accountants
• Bookkeepers
• Medical transcription
• Detective agencies
• Consultants for computers and lots of other things
• Advertising agencies
• Landscaping businesses
• Plant maintenance
• Interior design firms
• Rental agencies
• Information services
• Management companies
• Building repair and maintenance
• Training companies
• Agricultural services
• Limo services
• Publishing services
• Trade show services

... and the list goes on and on.  Basically, ask yourself

1. Do I serve the business community?
2. Is mine a service business (whether for one employee or many)?

If you answered "yes", you are in the right spot!

The Hardest Part About Funding A Strategic Business Plan

Unlike a retail business that has real inventory, or a truck rental business that real trucks, the "real" part of service businesses is sometimes hard to tie down.  And the smaller the company is, the harder it is to tie down.

This is significant because bankers like to see real equity in a business.  Sweat equity is nice, but they can't cash it in if anything goes awry.  While all business owners will sign personally on all loan documents, this takes on added significance with a service business.

Bankers, in fact, like to see two or even three ways of re-paying any loan.  Typically one way is via revenue generated by the business.  Another way is through the assets of the business.  And a third way is through the personal assets of the owner.  Without having real assets in your business, be prepared to present pretty strong personal assets as a guarantee to loan.  It isn't fair, but that is how it works.

The Strength In A Strategic Business Plan

Just as service businesses often don't have the assets of other businesses, they often too don't carry the same liabilities.  They aren't paying off on a large manufacturing facility or caught in a 10 year lease for heavy equipment.  They are more flexible in size and can re-focus operations in a heart beat, and therein lies their strength.

Clearly demonstrate in your strategic business plan the flexibility in your business.  With the economy as unstable as it is, this flexibility can serve you very well.  Take a solid business plan template like this one and really make it work for you:

A strategic business plan pays close attention to trends and numbers.  And it's got pizzazz.  Here are the three components you need to get you on your way:

CLICK HERE for more info on the 7 Step Strategic Business Plan

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Customer Reviews of the B2B Business Plan for Service Businesses

Overall rating: (4.6 out of a possible 5 stars).  Here's a sampling:

Tatiana (Italy). "Going from a one person business to a three person business has been a breeze.  Thanks for the help."

Javier (Phoenix, AZ).  ""I could never have done it if I hadn't found your business plan."

YOUR REVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN

We would love to learn of your experience with the 7 Step Strategic Business Plan.  Please go to our Business Plan Review Page and tell us what you think!